Auburn Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Auburn, Alabama?
Arrest records are public in Auburn, Alabama, pursuant to the Alabama Public Records Law (Code of Alabama § 36-12-40). This statute establishes that every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of the state, except as expressly provided by statute. The Alabama Supreme Court has consistently interpreted this law to include arrest records among the documents accessible to the public. This accessibility serves multiple governmental functions, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations, facilitating public oversight of the criminal justice system, and providing citizens with information pertinent to community safety.
The Auburn Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and makes them available through established protocols. Public access to arrest records supports the fundamental principle of open government while balancing privacy considerations as mandated by Alabama law. Records may contain redactions where required by statute to protect certain sensitive information, such as details related to ongoing investigations or juvenile offenders as specified in Code of Alabama § 12-15-133.
How to Look Up Auburn Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Auburn provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information should be aware of the following official methods:
- In-person requests may be submitted at the Auburn Police Department Records Division, located at:
Auburn Police Department Records Division
161 North Ross Street
Auburn, AL 36830
(334) 501-3110
Auburn Police Department
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the above address. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-41, a reasonable fee may be charged for the cost of providing copies of public records.
The Auburn Municipal Court maintains records related to cases processed through their system. Court records may be accessed at:
Auburn Municipal Court
141 North Ross Street
Auburn, AL 36830
(334) 501-3180
Electronic access to certain arrest information is available through the City of Auburn's public records portal. Users must register and may be required to pay applicable fees for document retrieval and reproduction.
Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records that include arrests made in Auburn:
Lee County Sheriff's Office
1900 Frederick Road
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 749-5651
When requesting arrest records, requestors must provide sufficient identifying information, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Government-issued photo identification is required for in-person requests.
Contents of an Auburn Arrest Record
Auburn arrest records contain standardized information as required by Alabama law and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:
- Subject identification: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address at time of arrest
- Arrest details: Date, time, and specific location of apprehension
- Offense information: Charges filed, including Alabama Criminal Code citations and classification (felony or misdemeanor)
- Case processing data: Arresting officer's name and badge number, booking information, case/incident number, and initial court appearance details
- Biometric data: Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Photographic evidence: Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken from front and profile views
- Detention status: Information regarding bail determination, release conditions, or continued detention
- Prior criminal history: References to previous arrests and convictions within the jurisdiction
Pursuant to Alabama Code § 15-27-1 through § 15-27-19, certain information may be redacted or restricted, particularly in cases involving juveniles, victims of specific crimes, or where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation. The Auburn Police Department adheres to these statutory requirements when processing public records requests.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Auburn
The State of Alabama provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records through a formal judicial process. Under Alabama Code § 15-27-1 et seq., individuals may petition for expungement under specific circumstances. The Auburn Municipal Court and Lee County Circuit Court have jurisdiction to consider expungement petitions for arrests occurring within Auburn city limits.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Auburn include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Charges that were dismissed with prejudice
- Charges dismissed without prejudice after two years (felonies) or one year (misdemeanors) with no refiling
- Acquittals by judge or jury
- Successful completion of diversion programs or specialty court programs
- Pardoned offenses (excluding violent crimes)
- Non-violent felonies after a waiting period (typically five years) following completion of sentence
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a petition with the court of record using forms prescribed by the Administrative Office of Courts
- Pay the filing fee of $300 (which may be waived upon demonstration of substantial hardship)
- Serve copies of the petition to the district attorney, law enforcement agencies, and other entities with custody of the records
- Attend a hearing if ordered by the court
Upon granting of an expungement order, all records of the arrest are sealed from public view and the individual may legally answer "no" to questions about the arrest on applications for employment, housing, or other purposes. However, certain government agencies retain limited access to expunged records for specific purposes as authorized by statute.
Legal assistance for expungement matters is available through:
Legal Services Alabama
600 South Court Street, Suite 301
Montgomery, AL 36104
(866) 456-4995
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